Written by

Alexis Schulman

Staff Writer

The Seminoles lost more on Saturday than just a football game as star defensive end Tank Carradine suffered an ACL tear that will end his season.

FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher confirmed the injury on a teleconference call this afternoon and said that Carradine was not injured by contact. The senior was making an upfield cut in the fourth quarter against the Gators when he blew out his ACL, according to Fisher.

Carradine made 11 tackles against Florida, including one and half tackles for loss. He also notched a sack and a QB hurry in the game. He led the Seminoles this season with 80 tackles and was second on the team in sacks and tackles for loss behind Bjoern Werner. Carradine stepped into his starting role after the Seminoles lost DE Brandon Jenkins to a season-ending Lisfranc injury in September and has been a force on the field.

Fisher said that Carradine was mature in his handling of the injury and understood the situation, but was nonetheless upset.

“Tank was very sad because he wanted to finish the season with his teammates,” Fisher said.

Thanks to a breakout year, Carradine was projected throughout the season to go early in the NFL draft. Fisher acknowledged that the injury was a concern for Carradine in relation to his draft status, but Fisher believes that Carradine’s draft stock won’t suffer much.

“The draft will be fine for him,” Fisher said.

After losing both Carradine and Jenkins, the Seminoles field just one DE with significant playing experience. Werner will hold down his side of the line, but the ’Noles will rely on either true freshman Mario Edwards, redshirt freshman Giorgio Newberry or senior Toshmon Stevens, who has played most of his career with special teams. Fisher couldn’t yet confirm who will start at the open spot.